Archive for September 4th, 2018

In the midst of reports that scores of civilians have been killed and hundreds injured across residential areas of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, United Nations agencies have stepped up their response, expressing concern that the situation could deteriorate as heavy fighting between rival armed groups continues.

UNHCR/Tarik Argaz | In this file photo, members of the ethnic minority Tawergha community leave their makeshift homes in Tripoli, Libya, after the houses were demolished by a local militia.

4 September 2018 – From deforestation to soil degradation and pollution, tobacco production and its use by consumers, is “tremendously destructive” for the environment, although control measures can help curb its negative environmental effects, including the damaging impact of climate change, the head of the UN tobacco control treaty watchdog – formally known as the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC – has told UN News.

Erbil, 4 September 2018 (IOM)* – For the first time in nearly four years, the number of displaced Iraqis has fallen below two million, according to a milestone IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report released on 4 September 2018.

Ali in West Mosul was trapped in rubble under his house when it collapsed during the conflict. He poses for a photo after his return in June 2018. Photo: IOM

4 September 2018 (UN Environment)* – From food packaging in shops to straws in bars, single-use plastics are so ubiquitous in modern society that they can be hard to avoid while navigating through daily life. As a result, plastic waste is now reaching sites that were either pristine or, if contaminated by other means, untouched by plastic pollution.

… and His Plea for Forgiveness of Victims for Church Clerical Sexual Abuse

Mairead Corrigan Maguire

Pope Francis’ two-day visit to Ireland on the 25thand 26thof August 2018 comes at a time when people need hope.

The Irish Church has been devastated by the abuse scandals, which have never been properly dealt with.

The victims and survivors of church abuse have told their stories and knocked on doors trying to get a hearing, and meet those who would listen to the terrible injustices perpetrated on them by some Catholic clergy and religious institutions.

Despite improvements in the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad region, millions continue to remain dependent on lifesaving assistance, the top United Nations relief official said on 3 September 2018, urging greater international support for the region to safeguard the progress achieved.